Edit: I absolutely HATED this chapter. That's why I edited it.
Here's the 6th one for youse. Extra special thing at the end because of the short cliffy.
Now for replies!
crazyvegimab- Plz don't die just because it was short- Here's the next chapter to bring you back to life!
Fushica- No, it's not Satis. You'll find out who it is.
Last time---
"Who the hell is that!"
---Ch. 6- The #1, Hyperactive, Knuckleheaded Changeling---
There was a human (or what looked like a human) sitting cross-legged on the floor. Her dark blond hair was short, with long bangs dyed red that covered her eyes. The red dye extended halfway along the sides of her head to the back. She wore a black hoodie over a plain black shirt, black denim pants, and black hiking sandals. She had a thick, black, spiked armband on her upper left arm, and a waaaay oversized spiked collar around her neck. She also wore a belt, hanging from which were a "homely" straight dirk, two pouches, and a pencil torch. A (you guessed it, black) backpack lay on the ground next to her, and her visible skin was pockmarked with scars.
(A/N- if you don't know what a dirk is, look it up somewhere. Yes, I know I'm hinting towards a mary-sue here, I'm working on it)
"That's Kyrra, another stowaway." Eva said, pointing at the girl.
"Oh, hi, Eva. Who's that hulk? Is he your…boyfriend?" she said, nudging Eva with her elbow, her eyes shining with silent mirth.
Eva immediately turned bright pink.
"Nuuuuu! It's my only weakness! NUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!" Kyrra ran around, screaming her head off.
"She hates the color pink." Eva pointed out.
"I can see that," Jordan remarked.
"Hey, baka, I'm not pink anymore. And no, Jordan here isn't my boyfriend. He's the gunner of my ship, my best friend, and now my psychiatrist."
Kyrra immediately stopped running around and clamped her hands over her mouth. It was obvious she was trying hard to keep from laughing.
"That's one thing you gotta watch out for in her: she laughs easily and she's loud TOTEMO! Watch this. Hey, Ky!" Eva bent down close to her ear.
"W-what! Uh oh n-not t-that a-again!"
"SuperDoubleChickenWeaselBurgerSupreme With Gorgonzola Cheese and Garbonzo Beans!!! Jordan, cover your ears."
Kyrra laughed so hard that she fell off the edge and didn't notice. In fact, she just kept on laughing.
"Jordan, don't try to catch her. She'll be fine, watch."
Jordan and Eva watched as the girl transmogrified into a Dragon and flew back to the platform. Jordan's mouth just about fell off the platform itself.
"Now how's that for speed, power, and agility! W00t!" she cried.
"How did you-what did you-Eva, stay back, she's dangerous!" Jordan stood in front of Eva, "protecting" her.
"Ahem." The girl had gone back to human "mode" and was tapping her foot impatiently.
"My Draconian name is Kyrra; I forgot my real name ages ago. I'm a Draconian, a type of changeling found on all planets as a subspecies of every known multi-cellular organism that has a brain large enough to be able to comprehend all the big words that I'm using. Apparently, Jordan doesn't fit the standards. Now that I've just spilled a lot of confidential information about myself, do you trust me?"
Jordan didn't move.
"We're in this together, so you might as well step aside. If I'd wanted to hurt you, I'd've done so already."
Jordan reluctantly lowered his arms and sat down. Eva followed suit.
"What exactly is going on?" asked Eva.
"That's what I'm here to tell you, so listen up. A few of each species is chosen by the Elders to be gifted with becoming a certain subspecies."
"Who are the E-"
"Shush!" Eva elbowed Jordan in the side.
Kyrra went on. "We are all more intelligent, powerful, agile, flexible, name a quality, we are probably better at it than you. There are 13 different types of subspecies: Draconian (1), Lupinian (2), Gryphonian (3), Ccorian (4), Phonoxian (5), Draconian, (6), Leviathan (7), Taurian (8), Viidanian (9), Janupian, (10), Centaurion (11), Trylian, (12), and Sabrian (13). Think of it as a zodiac, only with 13 animals instead of 12. The Elders are thirteen beings, one for each subspecies, and keep the peace between worlds." Kyrra paused to let it sink in and to take a breath before going on, "Oh yes, did you know that Ning and Skun are Trylian twins? It's true. Most subspecies are female, because apparently, some of the Elders wish to have more than a few with the privilege of being a subspecies. Unfortunately, this is one trait that cannot be passed down from generation to generation." Kyrra said sadly, shaking her head. "Aikka's a subspecies of Nourasian."
(A/N-Lupinians were created by Lupe191919, not me. Also, the numbers after the subspecies's names mean there is a definition at some other point in the chapter.)
"He is?" Eva asked.
"Yeah. He's a Sabrian. Sabrians are huge striped tigers with large fangs and gold wings."
"Cool! Did Aikka tell you this?" she asked.
Kyrra snorted. "Of course, dumbass, who else? I knew he was one of us because of his aura, so I spoke to him and found out that he is very fond of you, Eva." Eva blushed. "Oh, so you like him too!"
"No, I don't. Well, yes. As a friend!" she added when Kyrra started purring. "He's my other best friend."
"And so what am I?" Kyrra spat indignantly.
"…My third best friend?" Eva added nervously.
"Thank you. Hey, look!"
"What?" asked Eva.
Jordan, not knowing what to look at, saw Kyrra's hand and said,
"A finger!"
Kyrra whacked Jordan on the back of the head. "No, baka, the star."
"Yeah, so?"
"It's not a star. It's a planet. Wanna take a closer look?"
"Sure, but-"
"Are you sure this isn't some kind of trap?" Jordan mouthed.
"You gonna trust me or not, gunner-boy?"
"Kyrra!"
Kyrra pulled the hood of her hoodie down. Two fuzzy black ears were exposed. "Hey, it's not my fault that I have ultra-sensitive hearing. Well actually, it is, but that's not the point of the pudding, now is it? Well, don't stand there gaping like fish, come on already!"
"Are...are those...?"
"Yes they're real! Wait-didn't I tell you that each subspecies creature grows an animal's characteristic when they master a Power?"
"Uh...no. And what's a Power?"
"I'll explain along the way."
Kyrra went into her Dragon form and crouched down so that they could climb on. Jordan, who was still wary of Kyrra, sat behind Eva and put his arms protectively around her.
"Now. My scales are sharp and I can't keep them flat the whole time, so I'm going to shapeshift them into a more suitable surface.. Don't be afraid, it's just a power of mine."
Kyrra's back "flowed" a little and became smooth. Now, instead of sharp Dragon scales, there were smooth snake scales beneath Eva and Jordan.
"Cool! How'd you do that?"
"Well, there are lot's of things about Changelings that you don't know about. I'll explain later when we find better wind." They flew on, with Jordan and Eva gaping at the landscape below. Various colored lights flickered between thick trees and foliage, and many creatures called to one another.
"Eva, you asked about what a Power is, right?" Kyrra asked.
"Yeah. You never told me about any of this. I thought-"
"That I was just another kid. Yeah, I get that a lot." She tacked into the wind. "A long time ago, a Dvarnian named Dren came into our society. He was power-hungry and ambitious, and strove toward becoming an Ultimate, a being of ultimate power and control. For a time, he ruled over us, terrorizing many and sparing none. His Dvarnian name became Kannaletto."
Eva's eyes widened. "So...is the Avatar an Ultimate?"
"Yes. Kannaletto was, as you'd expect, the last Avatar. A new Avatar is chosen every 10,000 years; normally Changelings are forbidden from becoming him. But somehow, Kannaletto was chosen. Nobody knows how, although the generally accepted conclusion is that he employed a normal alien to take the role and then killed him, thus becoming the Avatar himself. Of course, he didn't resent his deed of killing an innocent alien; Kannaletto is no stranger to death. He ruled for ten thousand years, destroying planets and galaxies in hopes of creating his own. Of course, Oban, our Mother Planet, would not comply with creating new planets for Kannaletto. He was pure evil, and Oban would not risk giving birth to an evil planet. When his reign finally came to an end, every species of the universe that had been spared rejoiced, and it was known that a new Avatar would be chosen. The Elders relieved Kannaletto of his Power as punishment. However, Kannaletto grew angry at losing his Power and was locked away, never to be seen again."
"And what does this have to do with-"
"For the last time, shut up!" Eva nudged him again.
"Thank you. Anyways, the Elders decided that the Power that Kannaletto had learned was much too much for anyone to handle without being corrupted. For you see, our Powers were once evil spirits, harnessed and purified. If one took in all the spirits, his soul would be devoured and he would become Posessed. Thus, the Elders broke apart this mass of Power into the thirteen spirits and decreed that only a limited number must be learned, to prevent corruption. That number is nine. There is another legend, that if one learned the right Powers in the right order, they would grow nine tails and become a wise, talking fox at will."
Eva and Jordan were silent, taking it all in. Meanwhile, Kyrra dove towards the ground and grabbed a rock. She hummed, a great rumbling sound deep in her throat, and the rock began to glow. She placed the now glowing rock upon Jordan's head, while simultaneously tapping him on the shoulder.
"Huh-what?!" Jordan whipped his head around, and saw the rock out of the corner of his eye. It landed on his thigh. 'What's this,' he wondered. Jordan picked up the rock, and energy zapped his and Eva's bodies so fast that they almost fell off.
Eva opened her eyes, and saw the landscape below flying by at a fast pace. 'Help!' she thought, but soon realized that she wasn't falling, but in fact, flying.
Meanwhile, Jordan was having a panic attack.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!' he silently screamed.
"Ow! That hurts my brain." Complained Kyrra.
"WTF is going on?!"
"You two are in my mind, but I'll have to kick you out if you don't stop screaming. I'm getting a headache! LITERALLY!"
A random conversation or two later...
---
"That was awesome!"
"Yeah, let's do this again sometime."
"Not too much, though. If one's soul enters someone else's body, it may never return again. I will educate (yes I hate that word too) you in the ways of the Elders, although you may or may not be chosen to be a Changeling, the lore itself is fascinating."
Jordan shrugged.
"Good enough for me!" Eva laughed with the exhilaration of the flight.
"Thanks for the ride, Kyrra." Said Eva.
"Yeah, it was fun." Jordan added.
"Anytime. Hey, why don't you come back tomorrow after the race? I have lots of good stories to share."
"Sure!"
"Bye."
"See ya!"
Jordan and Eva returned to their module to find they were just in time for the sunset.
"Wow. The sky is really beautiful tonight."
"Yeah."
They sat down and watched the sun for a while. After a bit, Eva spoke up.
"I still can't believe Sul is gone," she mused.
"Stan and Koji said he was sucked in through a portal of some kind."
"Yeah, and Koji said it could've happened to anyone. That's what's bothering me, if it happened to Sul, we could be next."
"If that happens, at least we won't have to face it alone."
"That's a nice thought." Eva's voice dripped sarcasm.
"Humph-I'd like to hear you say that when you get sucked into an interdimensional portal alone!"
"At least, if that happens, I could commit suicide…then I'd see my mom again."
Jordan stared at her. "You never told me you had a mom!" then he realized that this was probably a painful subject for her and added, "Or that she was…" he paused to think of a better word than dead, "passed away. If you don't want to talk about it, I understand."
Eva sighed. "No, it's better to spill than keep it in. Here goes." She took a deeeeeep breath and told Jordan the actual story, starting with her mother's death and ending where Rick found out who she really was. "You know the rest." She pretended to gasp for air after her explanation.
"Wow. I…I never realized…"
"It's okay, Jordan. I've been over it for a while now. Besides, it's not your problem. Promise me you won't kill yourself over something that doesn't-didn't-concern you?"
"Alright, I promise." Jordan gave in. There was no sense in arguing over something that could easily be settled. He still wasn't sure whether he could keep his promise, though. 'She has got to be the strongest person I've ever met. I know I'd probably die from the stress from less than half the things she's been through. Fuck Don Wei! Most of this was all his own fault! And now, Eva will never- ' his thoughts were interrupted by a soft snoring. Without looking, he could tell that Eva had fallen asleep on him. Again. Smiling, he thought, 'Well, she deserves it. '.
"Rest all you want, E-I mean, Molly." He caught himself just in time. "It's been a tough night."
Totemo means "very" in Japanese.
Why does Eva keep falling asleep on Jordan? I don't know. Maybe she likes. Here's the special thing I promised!
1) Draconian: Draconians are aliens (Human, Nourasian, Etc.) that can change into Dragons. Coloration varies between each individual; a Draconian could be any combo of colors. (in this instance, Kyrra is black with red wing membrane). Dragons are not to be confused with Wyverns. Dragons ALWAYS have four legs, whether they stand on two or four. Wyverns only have two legs that they stand on, using their wings as arms. Draconians can be either Wyvern or Dragon, but most are Dragons. All Dragons either breath fire or spit poison, but most breath fire. Draconians are the signs of Courage and Determination because most of them come from hard lives and are the Element of Fire.
2) Lupinian: Lupinians are aliens that are the Earth equivalent of Werewolves. They change into wolves, heal quickly, and have a supersensitive sense of smell that is present in their original alien form as well. (They can smell fear-scent) I don't own Lupinians, Lupe191919 created them. Lupinians are the sign of Dexterity and Order because their form is the second hardest to control and are the Element of Air because of their flighty and free-spirited attitude.
3) Gryphonian: Gryphonians are aliens that can change into Gryphons/Griffins, Leo-Griffs, and sometimes Hippogriffs. Gryphons have eagle legs, wings, beak and feathers as the front half, and a lion's back paws, tail, and fur as the back half, while Leo-Griffs have a lion's mane, head, front paws, and fur as the front, and an eagle's legs, feathers and wings and a lion's tail on the back half. I'm pretty sure everyone knows what a Hippogriff is. Gryphonians are the signs of Nobility and Authority because of their noble disposition and are the Element of Air.
4) Mantacorian: Mantacorians are aliens that can change into a Mantacore/Mantacora. Mantacores are basically red, stripe-less tigers with a man's face and a lion's tuft tail. This subspecies is slightly changed, with red bat wings and a forked tail. (To people who know about Pokemon, it's exactly like an Espeon's tail) Also, the tail has a club of bone at the end of each "tine". Mantacorians are the signs of Power and Endurance and are the Element of Earth because of their calm composure.
5) Phoenox- Phoenox's are aliens that can change into Phoenixes. As you should know, Phoenixes are birds of fire and when they die, they rise from their ashes to start life again. This being the most wanted form, not many are gifted with it. The Phoenician is the sign of Immortality and Divinity because of their unending life cycle and are the Element of Fire.
6) Chubrians: Chubrians are probably the most "gory" looking changelings. To even faintly imagine what a Chupacabra looks like, imagine an ant. Make that ant stand up. Turn it the color blue. Now make it about, say, seven feet tall. Add eight blood red fangs, make the limbs a little more humanlike, and add three fingers, one thumb and long claws-like Ning and Skun's- at the end of each hand. Make the eyes blood red, add bat huge wings, and put two toes with large Dragon claws on each foot. Don't forget a long tail and spikes down it's back. That's a Chupacabra. Oh yes, Chupacabra don't leave footprints. Chubrians are the signs of Destruction and Famine because they cause both, and are the element of Darkness.
7) Leviathan: Leviathans are widely known as large octopi or squid, but those are references to the Kraken. The particular Leviathan that I am talking about is the exact image of the Loch Ness Monster. In fact, Nessie herself (it's a she) is a changeling. Luckily, Leviathans are timid and can survive out of water because they are the equivalent of swimming Brontosaurus. The fins are well developed, and they can push themselves around on land. However, they don't normally do this, particularly because they have been known to level houses by accident. They can fly, though. (For Pokemon lovers, think of them as a Lugia-type thing, except the back legs are Nessie fins) Leviathans are the signs of Deftness and Swiftness because of the way they have mastered the seas, and are the only Changeling to be the Element of Water.
8) Minotaurian: Minotaurians are aliens that can change into Minotaurs. A Minotaur is a bull-headed man (or woman) with large muscles and is a bull from the rear down, too. They have large horns, huge raven wings, a nose ring, and sharp fangs. Minotaurians are the signs of Emotion and Inner Strength because of their stature and motherlike attitudes, and are the Element of Earth.
9) Dvarnian: Dvarnians are pure Evil. They all look similar to Kannaletto. Dvarnians are the signs of Evil and Corruption, and are the Element of Darkness.
10) Serphyan: Serphyans are the opposite of Dvarnians. They are righteous and are always there to help out. Serbians are the signs of Virtue and Charity, and are the Element of Light.
11) Centaulion: Centaulions are aliens that can turn into Centaurs. Centurions are a mix of Centaurs and Pegasi. They have the lower body and four legs of a horse, two eagle wings the same color as their fur, and the upper body of a man or woman. They are very hairy. Centaulions are the signs of Compassion and Loyalty, and are the Element of Thunder.
12) L'Hoektand: L'Hoektand are Vampires. They can change to a bat and do have fangs, but don't suck blood unless bloodlust comes upon them. They have wings and those fingernails that can "grow" too. L'Hoektand are the signs of Terror and Kindliness, also, because they are actually quite friendly, and are the Element of Thunder.
13) Sabrian: Sabrians are great winged tigers with fangs. They have warm hearts and will only fight for a good cause. Sabrians are the signs of Kindness and Nobility, and are the Element of Light.
L'Hoektand – I derived the word "L'Hoektand" from the Dutch words "lang hoektand", which translates to "long fang".
Well, hope you liked this little commentary. Most of the Changeling types are a little different from the normal myths. Thanks to SnowNeko for mentioning the thing about the Gryphons and the Hippogriffs. If anyone sees error in the myths or anything else please let me know. It's very helpful. I wasn't planning on this being an OC, but now I think it's for the best. Syanara's for signing off.
- Virtual Dragon of Oban